A VETERINARY practice is warning pet owners to be extra vigilant after a suspected poisoner nearly cost Millie the moggie one of her nine lives.

Millie, a nine-year-old black and white cat, had a lucky escape after being rushed to Westway Veterinary Group, in Newcastle after what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to target pets in Urpeth Grange, near Chester-le-Street.

The Northern Echo: MOGGIE: Millie the moggie

CLOSE CALL: Millie the cat

Millie carried a cooked chicken breast through the cat flap of her home Urpeth Grange and owners Sarah and Stuart Douglas were horrified to discover it was laced with rat poison.

Not knowing if her pet had eaten any of the chicken, Sarah called Westway’s emergency, out-of-hours service and was advised to bring her into their hospital on West Road, Newcastle, for treatment.

Although Millie was not showing any signs of having been poisoned, vet Abbey Taylor gave her blood tests and induced vomiting as a precaution, and her family faced an anxious wait to see if she was unaffected.

The Douglas family have reported the case to the police, and Westway Vets is appealing to cat and dog owners to keep a close watch over their pets following the scare.

Vet Abbey Taylor said: “We would urge owners to be extremely cautious and if they think their pet may have come into contact with rat poison, to contact us immediately to seek veterinary advice.

“This was a worrying incident for the Douglas family, but luckily Millie didn’t show any signs of having eaten the rat poison, but it could have been a tragic case.

“This is irresponsible use of rat poison as cats, dogs or wildlife could be indiscriminately affected. Secure bait boxes should be used. If trying to deter cats from entering the garden, there are water or noise producing gadgets that will keep cats away.”

Mrs Douglas said: “I thought at first she had stolen someone’s Sunday lunch, but then I noticed the chicken breast was tied up with green string, which seemed odd. I could see some blue/green crystals in the middle of the chicken and my husband immediately identified the rat poison.

“We had a terrible day as we were so worried, but it doesn’t look as if she has eaten any of the chicken. I think it was too big for her to eat, but she could have got it on her paws and licked it off or a dog could have grabbed it and wolfed it down.

“I’m absolutely sickened that someone would do this because it looks like a deliberate attempt to poison a pet, rather than solve a rodent problem.

“I alerted people about our experience on Facebook and someone replied to say that they had also found chicken with rat poison inside. I’ve report the case to the police and RSPCA.

“Millie had a really lucky escape, but another pet might not be so fortunate.”

Anyone who thinks their pet may have eaten rat poison should contact their vet immediately.

Symptoms your pet has eaten rat poison can include vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing or respiratory difficulties, seizures or muscle tremors, lethargy and blood in urine or faeces.